Planning a safari? Your child will hear the words Big Five before you leave. Here is what they mean, and one fact about each animal that a child can remember.
What the name means
The Big Five are the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the African buffalo and the rhino. The name was first used by hunters, who thought these five were the hardest to hunt on foot.
Today people use the name in a kinder way. It is a checklist for visitors who want to see the five on safari. The Maasai Mara in Narok County is one reserve where all five can be seen.
Lion
Lions live in family groups called prides. Only the males grow a mane. Both males and females roar, and the sound travels far.
Leopard
A leopard usually lives alone and is most active at night. It climbs well and can carry food up into a tree. Its spots are called rosettes, and they look a little like flowers.
Elephant
The African elephant is the largest animal on land. A family group is led by an older female. The trunk is nose, hand and drinking straw in one.
African buffalo
Buffalo live in herds. Both males and females have heavy, ridged horns. They have a good sense of smell, but weaker sight and hearing.
Rhino
A rhino's horn is made of keratin, the same material as our hair and nails. The black rhino is listed as Critically Endangered. Kenya works hard to protect its black rhinos.
Which ones we make
We crochet three of the five: the lion, the elephant and the rhino. We do not make a leopard or a buffalo.
Our lions are tan with a shaggy brown mane. Our elephants come in grey, caramel brown, slate blue, lavender and dusty purple. Our rhinos are light blue or brown with cream horns.
All are crocheted by hand in Nairobi from recycled acrylic yarn. The plain ones carry zero plastic and nothing detachable. Cleaning is easy, and the care guide explains how. As always, an adult should stay near a young child at play.
A safari checklist game
Make a card with five boxes, one for each animal. On a real safari, tick each one you spot. At home, use pictures or crocheted animals and tick them as you find them.
- Draw the five boxes and write one name next to each.
- Give a point for every animal seen, and a bonus for a mane or a horn.
- Say one fact about the animal before you tick the box.
Choosing a set
A set of three makes a good gift for a child who is going on safari. The Gift Finder can help you pick colours and sizes. If you need a different mix, tell us in the Studio.
Two animals will be missing from the set, and that is fine. It leaves something for the child to look for in the park.
